Formula1 2013 thread

[_Rick_]

I get the first contact, but WTH was with that heavy turn to the left after they had straightened out. If there wasn't a technical reason for that I hope he got a ban in GP2. That is one of the worst moves I have seen in open wheel racing. Tops the Senna/Prost moves or Villinueve/Hill hits from Schumi. Disgraceful.

Definitely something technical. RoGros wasn't even in the championship that year, just a guest driver.
I think he overcooked his approach into the hairpin, then saw how close that got him to the cars in front, and didn't back out of the acceleration, when RoGros had to tighten the corner.
From there on, he either had a suspension failure, brake failure or something similar, that induced the car to jab left. Probably stemming from the fact, that after the rears contacted, the front veered to the left again, and maybe got jolted by the rotational movement of the other cars tires.

But I don't think anyone would do that kind of move, after winning the first race, and fighting for the championship, against a non-championship runner, while coming from behind. Not even PM.

 

[foghorn67]

Definitely something technical. RoGros wasn't even in the championship that year, just a guest driver.
I think he overcooked his approach into the hairpin, then saw how close that got him to the cars in front, and didn't back out of the acceleration, when RoGros had to tighten the corner.
From there on, he either had a suspension failure, brake failure or something similar, that induced the car to jab left. Probably stemming from the fact, that after the rears contacted, the front veered to the left again, and maybe got jolted by the rotational movement of the other cars tires.

But I don't think anyone would do that kind of move, after winning the first race, and fighting for the championship, against a non-championship runner, while coming from behind. Not even PM.

lol, no. He's just a horrible driver.

 

[busydude]

Pastor is known to use his car as a weapon in multiple occasions.

Hamilton Vs Maldonado (twice)

Perez Vs Mal (Monaco 2012)

Two FIs Vs Mal

A marshall was severely injured when he was driving for GP2 in Monaco. After the incident Monaco banned him from driving there, but his father paid for the marshal's treatment and the ban was lifted on that promise.

Even Williams feel the $20 Million he brings isn't really worth in anymore. A true waste of a car seat.

 

[busydude]

Craig Scarborough's prediction on how RB10 is going to look like.


The translated article here:


http://translate.google.com/transla...3/12/04/sebastian-vettels/neuer-red-bull.html

 

[_Rick_]

A marshall was severely injured when he was driving for GP2 in Monaco. After the incident Monaco banned him from driving there, but his father paid for the marshal's treatment and the ban was lifted on that promise.

That's a bit of an urban legend. I tried to find anything corroborating that story, and only got differing stories and reports.

While I agree, that he's probably one of the least deserving drivers on the grid, I think that in the above case, there was no ill will, only lack of caution and respect. And while he did get a serious reprimand in Monaco, I doubt a ban was ever seriously considered. And unless someone finds an official public document, I don't think that story is true. Believable yes, which is why the rumor holds, but not true.

Williams replaced him with Massa. Which is definitely a better match for their up and coming star Bottas, who is both faster and more consistent in his Rookie season, than Pastor in his second.

 

[hotlavaaaa]

Possible Ferrari F1 V6 turbo test mule spotted at Fiorano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od3H6Jxisfk

Doesn't sound so great until the final pass at 1:35, and then it starts to make some nice noises.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Formula 1 to award double points for final race from 2014

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25310466

 

[satyajitmenon]

Formula 1 to award double points for final race from 2014

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25310466

Interesting dumb idea.

All that means is that Vettel has to ensure he's got a lead of >50 points to secure the championship.

Didn't he do that last year and this year already?

I get the desire to try and make the whole season (especially the last few races) interesting. But I don't think this is a particularly good way of doing it. If there's one team/car dominating the season, this rule does little to address the viewership experience.

I still think they should do reverse grids (starting line for a race is reverse of finishing order of previous one). I suppose downside is that there would be no reason to have qualifying on Saturdays. Upside is a bunch of top teams fighting their way through the field for position.

 

[_Rick_]

I still like my idea of giving one point per qualifying position, and then starting in reverse order of qualifying.
It would probably require a bit of balancing, with regard to possible points in the race, so that the lower end teams do not necessarily fight only over quali points, as they cannot expect to win, in any case, and obviously this artificial overtaking isn't going to be super exciting either. Also, the rate of first lap incidents will probably go up, as it's not one or two cars out of position, but all cars.

Double points in the last race is stupid. Why should one track give as many points as two others? I suppose track optimization for Interlagos will be on many teams agenda's now.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

how about awarding some points for saturday "qualifying" and then random draw for starting position? i'm not sure that would make a difference towards the back end of a race though.

martin brundle said it best:
you spend all day saturday sorting out who's fastest, the start the race in that order. don't be surprised when they finish in the same order.

i'd also throw in a point for fastest lap, something a lot of fans have said.

the fia has stated in the past "points are for race results only" and "qualifying on pole is its own reward". it took them ages to come up with a half-decent points system, and i doubt there's more points coming, since the more points you score the more bernie pays you. i don't think the payout per point was reduced in the last concorde agreement when the total points available went up.

there's a few things we can be sure of:

friday and saturday - why bother watching when the cars drive as little as possible?
drs - terrible
stupid tires - terrible
mandatory tire change - terrible (and they might add another!)
huge breaks between races - terrible (lazy europeans )

how would i fix f1?
1. less aero
2. customer cars, max out the grid, team championship replaces constructor's
3. add technical goodies, like open engine spec and full-time driver-controlled wings

 

[_Rick_]

I don't mind DRS that much. It's still relatively new, and I think some zones are too long and others are too short, but if they manage to put cars side-by-side in the corner at the end of the straight, then they're good. If they allow you to un-overtake yourself, like the Sauber did in Japan, then something is a bit weird.

Less aero has been on the agenda for almost a decade now. I still remember the fan backlash over the "tower rear wings", which were introduced to give the front wing of the following car at least a bit more clear air. Next year's aero regs are also removing more rear aero options.

Open engine spec sounds terrible, as the engine is always central to formula racing. Given the cost of engine development, I don't think this is something that would make racing more exciting. The cost cap that's going to be introduced, combined with some engine lee-way might be an option to deal with that kind of thing, but the small teams would still suffer badly.
Customer cars is also not really in the recent tradition of F1. In endurance racing it has its place, but in F1 I fail to see the interest, except to reduce cost for both teams involved, but I'm not sure the development cycle of F1 cars makes them really viable to be sold to customers. Mid-season upgrades kind of break that model.

 

[LTC8K6]

I think DRS can go now that they have turbos. Have DRS replaced by an "extra boost" button. But the extra boost uses more fuel, so use it at your own risk.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Sebastian Vettel criticises 'absurd' F1 double points plan

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25324100

"This is absurd and punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season," said the 26-year-old, who won the final nine races in 2013.

"Drivers, fans and experts are horrified."

 

[Skurge]

FIA must be high.

The cost cap is fine, but due to that they should give the teams more freedom with the cars, that way we will see more interesting races, some teams might build a car that is heavier and more powerful, some teams might build a car that is lighter and less powerful and everything in between with different aerodynamics. They tyres needs to be fixed.

Rules similar to what they use in LMP1 would be good, but obviously still suited to f1. open wheel, open cockpit, etc

 

[Meghan54]

The DRS was a good idea but worthless in execution when your use was predicated on being within 1 sec. of the car ahead. Vettel pretty much made it worthless for anyone chasing him this year as it wasn't activated the first lap and by the beginning of the second lap, he'd usually have more than a 2 sec. lead.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Lotus's ideas are better. What the hell, double points? Ugh.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Lotus's ideas are better. What the hell, double points? Ugh.

:awe: WINNAR!!


caps

 

[The Boston Dangler]

F1 2014: All aboard the 'power train' - new rules explained

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25158104

 

[_Rick_]

The Lotus rules are excellent!
Also, Checo to Force India, and a season's best qualifier trophy....

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

I think a new rule should be that all podium finishers not named Sebastian Vettel should get double points.

He'll probably still win.

 

[_Rick_]

Sutil to Sauber. Didn't expect that.

Oh, and LMP1 apparently also run electric turbos for the next WEC season. That's a technology that might even trickle down to road cars.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Schumacher in critical condition following ski accident

Former F1 World Champions Michael Schumacher has suffered a head injury while skiing in the Alps. He was quickly transported to hospital and is receiving further medical.
The press officer of Schumacher released the following statement following the injury which appears not to be life threatening.

“In a private ski trip in the French Alps Michael fell on the head. He was taken to hospital. We ask for understanding that we cannot give continuous information about his health. He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. In his fall, no other person was involved.”

It appears Schumacher fell and injured his head upon hitting a rock. This incident happened while he was skiing off-piste between the slopes Chamois and Biche. The medical services responded quickly and according to the Méribel Ski Area director Christophe Lecomte the German was airlifted at 11:15 local time, 8 minutes after his fall.

At noon, Schumacher was transferred to UHC Grenoble for specialist case, following the aggravation of his condition. Olivier Panis turned up at the hospital at around 19:00 but commented nobody was allowed to see him, hoping he will soon get better.

At 22:40, the hospital officially confirmed Michael Schumacher's status: "M. Schumacher was admitted at UHC Grenoble at 12:40. He suffered from a several cranial injury and was about to go into coma. This required an immediate neurosurgical intervention."

The statement continued by saying that the German's situation remained critical and was signed by neurosurgeon prof. Chabardes, anesthesist prof. Payen and assistant general director Marc Penaud.

kinda conflicting info. they say "not life threatening", but "critical condition" and "severe head injury" means it is. this article sounds a bit more optimistic than cnn.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Brain hemorrhage and he needs brain surgery

(German)
http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gese...skiunfall-in-kritischem-zustand-a-941199.html

 

[_Rick_]

Of course this happens when I'm out of town...

Well, CHU Grenoble is one of France's best public hospitals and they regularly get people with a variety of skiing related accidents admitted (during winter the helicopters come and go at a pretty steady rhythm), so I suspect he's getting some of the best urgent care available.

I do hope he recovers, and am not surprised that a person who has engaged in dangerous Motorsports for all his life gets one of his worst injuries from skiing. Such a dangerous pastime, and especially hors-piste there are ni run-off areas or safety barriers.

 

[redgtxdi]

Ya, I'm NOT a fan of skiing for a reason!! I get it. I've been a few times and enjoyed it, but it's got danger written all over it.

Praying for him!